Before you go

• What are the travel arrangements? Who is responsible for them?
• Who arranges visas, entry permits, etc?
• What insurance cover is provided? Who provides it? Will I see the appropriate documentation?
• Are health, possessions, cancellations, repatriation etc all covered?
• What medical/health precautions are necessary?
• What pre-departure orientation and/or training is given?
  

What are the travel arrangements? Who is responsible for them?

The cost of flights is not included in your target that you are given when you sign-up for an expedition. Volunteers are given the choice of either joining the main group flight which is booked through an external (IATA & ATOL bonded) travel agent, or booking their own flights if they have plans to travel extensively before or after the expedition programme.

Who arranges visas, entry permits, etc?

British nationals have their visas stamped on entry to the countries in which we work. Non-British Nationals organise their own visas if they are required. If you are unsure then please speak with the staff  in the UK office for advice or phone your embassy for direct advice. Trekforce arrange all park entry permits.  If volunteers wish to travel on to other countries after the expedition, they are responsible for researching the specific requirements and organising any necessary visas themselves. Trekforce cover the cost of border fees during the programmes which cover more than one country but individuals must pay their own airport departure taxes when flying home at the end of the programme.

What insurance cover is provided? Who provides it? Will I see the appropriate documentation?

Trekforce Worldwide will provide the same professional medical cover on your expedition in the form of medical staff. However, the cost of insurance is not included and it is a condition of booking with us that you have in place adequate expedition medical emergency insurance cover whilst on your expedition.  To this end we have arranged a bespoke and comprehensive expedition policy, that includes cancellation, diving, curtailment and repatriation, with Campbell Irvine.

We strongly recommend you take up this policy and to arrange cover you will need to contact Campbell Irvine direct.  All the details on insurance will be provided in a “joining instructions” pack for each volunteer. Volunteers are more than welcome to ask for copies of any documentation should they wish to see it. The overall policy wording is included within Joining Instructions.

Are health, possessions, cancellations, repatriation etc all covered?

Health, cancellation and repatriation and possessions are all covered by the insurance that volunteers need to take out before they are able to join an expedition. The policy will include cancellation and curtailment insurance, however it is at the discretion of the insurance company regarding claims.

What medical/health precautions are necessary?

All volunteers are required to fill in a medical (physical and psychological) history questionnaire.  Any persons with specific medical conditions (asthma, epilepsy, psoriasis, pre-existing psychological conditions etc) are referred to our medical consultant Dr Jon Dallimore who is also a consultant to the Medical cell at the Royal Geographical Society. There may also be a need for Trekforce to contact your family GP for further information. They then receive advice specific to their condition.

In addition all volunteers receive a Joining Instructions booklet, which contains information and medical advice regarding inoculations, malaria prophylaxis and personal medical kit contents. Again, these have all been written up in consultation with Dr Dallimore.

What pre-departure orientation and / or training is given?

Once you have signed up you will be given a detailed set of Joining Instructions. A briefing event is held about 3-4 months prior to the expedition departure; and one month before the start of the 4 week expedition, where volunteers are briefed on all aspects of the expedition, including projects, kit and equipment, and medical advice. It is also a really good chance to get to know the other people that you will be on expedition with. Upon arrival in country, the first week to ten days is dedicated to orientation and acclimatisation to whichever environment you will be in (Jungle, Desert, Mountain).

See later section on the “know before you go campaign” that supports and recommends responsible travel and planning before you go on any independent travel.

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